“This recording began a long time ago in my mind. I come from the Island of Lewis and loved being raised there. Lewis is exposed and weather torn and this is evident in its culture, but it is also beautiful and compelling. In this album I wanted to express these extremes which are also inherent in Gaelic song and Gaelic culture. The songs stand alone, so to work with them I chose a careful approach. Changing musical styles from arrangements but don’t always remain true to the spirit or beauty of the original. I have listened to the stories of these songs, and with these musicians, have interpreted them. The response is honest: the songs remain timeless.” .
Musicians:- Alyth McCormack - vocals, Davy Trouton - piano, Jim Sutherland - drums & programming, Kevin MacKenzie - acoustic & electric guitars, Neil Harland - electric & double bass, Mary MacMaster - electro harp, Aidan ORourke - fiddle, Su-a Lee - cello, Rory Campbell - whistles.
Media Reviews
this recording is seriously in danger of becoming my album of the year.
For some reason I have steered clear of indigenous language records. Possibly it's because I have no real knowledge on the subject. But then again, this would be to sadly neglect albums by the likes of Alyth McCormack who was raised on the Isle of Lewis and a native Gaelic singer. Although I declare my ignorance of mouth-music and waulking songs, I find this a most rewarding album on two levels. One, for the natural beauty of the voice, the second for the production by Jim Sutherland who provides the listener with a brooding, stark soundscape. Cello, fiddle, harp and guitar are joined with drum programming in an innovative mix that stretches the musical boundaries in an unforced, free-form expression of improvisation. For some reason the album conveys the same message musically that I encountered years ago with the soundtrack to The Wickerman movie (which I might add is one of my favourite soundtracks). The spacious jazz piano accompaniment provided by Davey Trouton is fresh and proves an invaluable backdrop to the overall performance. As I say, not the most immediate album to grab my attention but with repeated listening this recording is seriously in danger of becoming my album of the year.
Her voice is among the best I have heard for many years.
I first heard Alyth singing during a gaelic class at Sabhal Mor Ostaig on the Isle of Skye and I knew from that day that she was on her way to Stardom. I waited patiently for the release of her first album and having heard it decided it was well worth the wait. The songs A Mhairead Og, O mo Dhuthaich, A Fhleasgaich Og and Mar a Tha are exceptionally moving. Her voice is among the best I have heard for many years. Although subtle she conveys all the emotions connected with the songs. Peggy R Nicolson, www.amazon.com.
A love song composed by John Maclean ofTiree (1827 - 1895) also known as the Balemartine bard.
2.
A Mhairead ög
Attributed to a poet from Lochaber called Doòmhall Donn Bhoth-fhionntainn.
3.
MacCrimmon
The MacCrimmons were a family of famous pipers who were mainly, but not only, attatched to the Macleods ofDunvegan, Isle of Skye.
4.
Mo Thruaigh
This song is the story of a smuggling trip from Scotland to Ireland and back. The boat, An Earbag(the little hind), was being pursued by excise officers and in the rush to leave the skipper was left behind.
5.
MhicShiridh
An anonymous lament written by a sister for her drowned brother. The images of the effects of the sea on her brother's body are very vivid, but show the loss the sister felt.
6.
O Mo Dhùthaich
This is one of the many songs about homesickness written by the Gaels who were forced to emigrate to the United States and Canada.
7.
The Selkie
8.
Tha Mulaidh
This is a piece of'mouth-music'or a 'puirt.'
9.
Bothan
10.
A Fleasgaich öig
A happy love song written composed a woman. Some versions refer to the Isle of Mull and the person being admired is a MacPhail, a common name in the island.
11.
Mar a tha
One of the compositions by the popular poet from the Isle of Skye, Mary Macpherson, Main Mhor nan Oran (1821 - 1898).
12.
Dheannain sùgradh
This was sung in Lewis as a 'waulking' song.
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